Interviews with Marine Scientists!

Dr. Andy Spencer

Professor at Malaspina University College,
and previously Director at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

Could you describe your work/research and how you got interested in this field?
"I work on the evolution of the nervous system (neurobiology evolution) by looking at lower metazoans (primarily invertebrates). Initially I was interested in birds. The University I went to in London had a strong marine program, so I did marine ecology, mainly zoology. I think that the term "marine biologist" is kind of out-dated. People aren't really trained as marine biologists anymore, as this has traditionally meant only the natural history of the marine environment. It is now a term that is used to describe biology done with marine organisms."

What training and education did you need to obtain this job?
"I went to University and got a B.Sc. and a Ph.D. I then spent two years at a post-doctoral position, and achieved another 20 years job experience. To attain this job, as well as almost all jobs in biology, one needs to excel, and be better than everyone else in their field."

What specific skills do you use on this job?
"It's necessary to have good scientific, analytical and communication skills. You also need to have command of the basic sciences, physics, chemistry and math."

What personal qualities are important in this job?
"In this job it's important to have scientific integrity and good powers of reasoning."

What is your work schedule (Days, hours per day, and overtime)?
"70 hours a week"

What benefits do you get?
"Being with the University I get good medical coverage, good pension, and job security."

What do you like about your job? What do you dislike?
"I like the personal freedom, being responsible for my own work, and that my job provides an opportunity to travel. It's rarely boring. As for dislikes about my job, I have none."

In retrospect, is there anything that you would have done differently to get to where you are now?
"Sometimes I have regrets about not going into medicine, but not very often!"

What would you say is the general range of income for someone in your position?
"$48 000-150 000 (CAD)"

What courses in high school would be helpful to prepare someone for the training of this job?
"Primarily physics, chemistry and math. These skills are generally the limiting factor in the discipline of biology. Biology is secondary, as it is probably the easier science to learn on your own."

Is there anything about your job that you wish you could change?
"No."

What advice do you have for young students interested in marine biology?
"You must excel, there's a lot of competition. Job opportunities will increase as you gain more experience, but you must perform above average to be able to pick the job you want."

Is marine biology important in society?
"Yes, it's essential, especially for Canada in that there are long coastlines. It affects the lives of people who live in coastal provinces."

Do you keep up with the news? Do you think it is important for marine biologists to do this?

"Yes, everyone should in order to be a good citizen in society."

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